User:EdwardDerby1/sandbox

58 (Eyre's) Battery - Battery Birthday - 25 July The battery was formed in 1786 as No 4 Company of the 3rd Bengal Artillery, in the Honourable East India Company. It did not form part of the British Army until 1861, when the East India Company was dissolved and its Artillery transferred to the Royal Artillery. In 1857, when the Indian Mutiny broke out, the 4th Bengal Foot Artillery and was commanded by Major Vincent Eyre. In the early autumn of that year, troops from Calcutta were gathering at Allahabad for the relief of Lucknow, in which was besieged Sir Henry Lawrence with some 3,000 combatants and civilians. Among the troops on the way to Allahabad, proceeded by boat up the Ganges, was Major Eyre's Company (in those days the Companies were usually referred to by the name of their Commander). The Mutineers however, were attacking forts and trading posts on the route. Hearing that the Garrison of Arrah was beset, Major Eyre landed two 9 pdr, and two 24 pdr Howitzers; he requisitioned plough oxen to draw them; picked up a detachment of Infantry and a dozen mounted volunteers; and marched off to the rescue. He had only some 200 men; and a similar attempt by more than double their numbers a few days earlier had met with disaster. However two determined efforts to rush his guns were repulsed with case shot; and the fire of the guns followed by a charge with the bayonet cleared the enemy out of the way. Not content with the relief of Arrah, Major Eyre with his Company strength made up to 500, marched against the main body of the Mutineers and completely broke up the gathering before returning to his boats and completing his voyage to Allahabad. For this exploit the Battery was awarded the Honour Title of EYRE'S COMPANY. Since being awarded their title the battery has been involved in every major conflict involving the British Army including both World Wars, Korea, Malaya, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. The battery is currently located on Thorney Island in West Sussex.